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Redox-specialized bacterioplankton metacommunity in a temperate estuary
Peeter Laas1, Jaak Simm2, Inga Lips1
1Marine Systems Institute at Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
Plos One
|April 11, 2015
Summary
Marine bacterioplankton in the Gulf of Finland adapt to changing conditions. Specialized microbes thrive in environments with oxygen and salinity gradients, indicating a cosmopolitan community structure.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Hydrographically complex marine systems present unique challenges for microbial communities.
- Understanding bacterioplankton dynamics is crucial for comprehending microbial adaptation strategies in variable environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of bacterioplankton community composition in the Gulf of Finland.
- To identify microbial adaptation strategies to steep physiochemical gradients and seasonal changes.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences.
- Pyrosequencing of community DNA samples.
- Assessment of bacterioplankton community structure in relation to environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Bacterioplankton ribotypes showed affiliation with sequences from environments exhibiting similar gradients and seasonal changes.
- Marine ecosystems with co-occurring oxygen and salinity gradients host a cosmopolitan metacommunity.
- Temporal shifts in surface bacterioplankton were linked to phytoplankton succession and freshwater inflow.
Conclusions:
- Such marine environments serve as habitats for specialized microbial groups with universal functional capabilities.
- The bacterioplankton community in the Gulf of Finland is composed of indigenous, well-established populations.
- Microbial niches in these environments are defined by functional traits for utilizing diverse electron donors and receptors.
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